Waechter's Silk Shop is the oldest fabric store in the Southeast. It opened on March 6, 1929 in the historic Grove Arcade building in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. When the Federal Government expropriated the Arcade during World War II for wartime uses, Waechter's moved around the corner to Haywood Street. The shop has since moved twice to larger spaces and now resides on Charlotte Street just north of the downtown area.

How the shop got its name
George Waechter, Sr. who came to Asheville from Louisville, Kentucky, founded Waechter's Silk Shop. He was the son of a German tailor and had fabric in his blood. The scissors that his father used in Germany were displayed in the store for decades. In keeping with the name of his store, George Waechter carried only silk goods at first including fabrics, stockings, handkerchiefs, gloves, undergarments, shirts and hosiery for both men and women.
Gradually more silks were added and Waechter's began to carry laces. The silk fabric and laces for Cornelia Vanderbilt's bridesmaids and several of the wedding guests were purchased from Waechter's. Wealthy customers would have their drivers deliver them to the store to choose fabrics for their dressmakers. Many of the store's customers were summer residents who lived in Florida the remainder of the year.

Growing to serve customers' diverse needs

Mr. Waechter expanded his inventory to satisfy his growing customer base. Linens were added including yard goods, toweling, and handkerchiefs. Today Waechter's Silk Shop still carries linen toweling and hankies, and still has customers who learned to sew tea towels from Irish linen their mothers bought from Mr. Waechter. Cottons were then added the finest pima cottons from Europe, Anderson gingham, and cottons from Liberty of London and Tootal of England. Today Waechter's Silk Shop still carries the wonderful Liberty of London fabrics.

A new owner and trusted family member
In 1967, Sally Hickerson got an after-school job in the drug store down the street from the fabric store. Sally learned to sew from her two grandmothers and an aunt and like the Waechters, had thread in her veins. She spent much of her drug store money on fabric and even after she went off to college, she continued to purchase fabric from the store. After years of college, traveling, and sewing, Sally returned to Asheville and renewed her friendship with the Waechters and began working in the store. One day she wished out loud to own her own business and in 1981, Sally Hickerson bought the store.
A new era in the store's long history began. Sally has expanded inventory selections, hired reliable and knowledgeable staff, developed classes, started a newsletter and swatch mailing service, and strengthened relationships with customers, vendors, and colleagues in the industry.

Building on a respected tradition

Waechter's Silk Shop has grown and changed over the years, but continues to hold fast to the values of quality and service. Generations of customers continue to buy Waechter's fabric for their daughters' wedding dresses. The original 1929 display cases and fixtures continue to show off Irish linen toweling and linen handkerchiefs. The firm foundation that the Waechter family and Sally Hickerson have built over the years will certainly be a solid basis for the next century.